The St. Louis Cardinals (27-43) and New York Mets (33-36) play game 2 of their 3-game series Saturday in the Big Apple at Citi Field. First pitch is slated for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Mets and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Mets lead 1-0
The Cardinals have lost 6 in a row and are just 5-15 over the last 20 games. St. Louis has allowed nearly 7 runs per game over this losing streak and has also lost 8 of its last 10 on the road.
Despite winning on Friday 6-1 over the Cardinals, the Mets continue to disappoint, winning just 3 of their last 10 games. New York is 17-13 at home this season, but only 4-9 against the NL Central.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Cardinals at Mets projected starters
RHP Adam Wainwright vs. RHP Kodai Senga
Wainwright (2-1, 5.79 ERA) will make his 8th start. He has a 1.71 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 5.1 K/9 in 37 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K in a 4-3 home loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Sunday
- Last 5 starts vs. Mets: 4-1, 3.67 ERA, 30 H, 11 ER, 11 BB over 27 IP
- 2023 away splits: 1-0, 6.75 ERA (16 IP, 12 ER), .333 OBA in 3 starts
Senga (6-3, 3.34 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9 and 11 K/9 in 64 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K in a 5-1 road victory vs. Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday
- 2023 home splits: 3-1, 1.93 ERA (32 2/3 IP, 7 ER), .158 OBA in 6 starts
- Has never faced the St. Louis Cardinals
Cardinals at Mets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Mets -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-160) | Mets -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Cardinals at Mets picks and predictions
Prediction
Mets 5, Cardinals 2
Moneyline
PASS.
While the Mets have disappointed this season, I think they win this game easily on Saturday afternoon. While I believe New York wins, the odds are not favorable for the bettor. I will look to the run line on this one.
Run line/Against the spread
BET METS -1.5 (+135).
St. Louis has struggled on the road with a record of 16-23 on the season. Its last two losses have been by 2 or more runs including Friday’s 6-1 defeat vs. the Mets. Adam Wainwright has allowed at least 3 earned runs in his last 4 starts.
I know the Mets will win this game and I’d rather take the plus odds on the run line than pay the juice on the moneyline.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (+100) is the lean. Kodai Senga has been lights out this season at Citi Field sporting an under 2 ERA. He has allowed more than 2 earned runs just once all season. The question will be how many runs Wainwright allows to this talented Mets lineup.
That’s why I’m not going to fully endorse taking this bet, but I am taking a side and it’s the Under.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]